1. Dante Alighieri / Cockerell, Douglas / North, John William / Ashendene Press Circle /

Original Devotional Manuscript to Dante [La Divina Commedia / The Divine Comedy – Manoscritto dell’inizio del XX secolo della Divina Commedia di Dante – con strofe manoscritte da “L’Inferno / Inferno” – “Purgatorio” – “Il Paradiso / Paradiso”] – The Manuscript is titled: “Pictures Illustrating The Pilgrimage of the Divine Poet Through The Realms of Punishment of Penance and Peace” – Illuminated Devotional Manuscript of section of “L’Inferno / Inferno” – “Purgatorio” – “Il Paradiso / Paradiso” – with excerpts of Dante’s Divina Comedia, in the style of medieval illuminated manuscripts. The manuscript is a strictly themed Dante Devotion and is of magical quality if one considers the fantastic, original calligraphy artwork, the composition of the manuscript and the coded meaning to the composer of this manuscript. The Folio – size manuscript is massive and has 216 pages, of which 109 pages are with illuminated, original watercolour-paintings in the style of the medieval masters, sometimes collages with watercolour and original etchings, engravings etc. The miniature paintings are juxtaposed with 105 vintage 19th century photographs of famous Italian Art – pieces that are somehow related to Dante’s world or have an allegorical assoziation. Besides the early photographs other juxtaposed artwork or integrated artwork to the illuminations are: an original watercolour depicting the dying Dante, a sensational copper-engraving, depicting an allegorical Dante-scenario, possibly referring to the Divine Comedy, a small photograph of the famous Michelino Fresco encapsulated in one of the illuminations, an artprint attributed “Burne-Jones”, two lithographs, a large steel-engraving, a smaller steel-engraving. Most of the photographs show allegorical sculpture or art by famous italian artists like Giotto, Carpaccio, Andrea Castagna, Luca delkla Robbia, Bellini, Titian, Dosso Dossi, Orgagna, Andrea del Sarto, Fra Angelico, Paul Veronese, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bonifazio, Neri dei Bicci, Francesco Traini, Benozo Gozzoli, etc. etc. and other juxtaposed refer in code to Dante’s Divina Comedia or even depict himself in artform. The photographs also include some breathtaking 19th century Albumen prints of Verona, Lake Garda, Mantua and other Italian landscapes.

England, [Douglas Cockerell / John William North], no year [c.1910]. Folio (34 cm wide x 42.5 cm high). 216 pages. Hardcover / Binding in full green morocco with lettering and Dante’s head as bronze sculpture per inlet to front cover. Binding by Douglas Cockerell, signed “WHS”, during his directorship of W.H.Smith & Son (1905 – 1914). The manuscript is on excellent paper, watermarked O.W.P. & A.C.L. [O.W. Paper & Arts Co. Ltd., established by English painter John William North (1842-1924) in 1895]. The binding rubbed and with some small damages, in need of some minor restoration but overall still very good. The interior, the paper and the artwork all in excellent condition besides one of the juxtaposed photographs (Filippina Lippo) removed from the manuscript with some residue of the photograph remaining and some of the photographs with some dogears and minimal discoloration. All the original artwork in spectacular and fresh condition. The manuscript is a spectacular find and the quality of its execution is of utmost interest for any lover of rare books, manuscripts and special bindings. The circle of Douglas Cockerell, his involvement in one of the most beautiful books ever printed: the Ashendene Press Dante, as well as Cockerell being the binder of this unique manuscript, the fantastic paper used for the manuscript by one of the idyllist movement’s central figures, John William North, and the wonderful Dante – theme of the manuscript with illuminated poetry from the Divine Comedy and the unique style of collage art, lets us rightfully dream that the anonymous composer of the manuscript was an important or at least peripheral member to either the Arts and Crafts Movement, the Ashendene Press or it was someone who worked in the style of the calligraphy schools that were inspired by William Morris or even earlier epigones like Owen Jones.

2. [Chester Beatty, Sir Alfred] Holme, Charles (Charles Rennie Mackintosh / Charles Voysey and others).

The Studio: an illustrated magazine of fine and applied art. Alfred Chester Beatty’s personal set of “The Studio”; 97 volumes bound in 69 books with the Register for Vols 1-29 [Lacking Volume 61]. With original artwork by James McNeill Whistler and other important artists of the Belle Époque and Art Nouveau Movement.

97 Volumes (bound in 69 Volumes). London, Offices of The Studio, 1893 – 1929. Quarto. c. 20000 pages with illustrations, photographs, original lithographs, engravings. Contemporary private Hardcover (Uniform deep blue buckram with gilt lettering on spinelabels). Very good condition with only minor signs of external wear. Only a few of the Volumes a little shaky. With the handwritten entry “A. Chester Beatty – 24 Kensington Palace Gardens – W. 8”.

3. [Calder, Alexander].

“Calder’s Universe” – Large Collection of seventyone (71) Books and Lithograph-Portfolios on and by American Artist Alexander “Sandy” Calder. The collection includes not only rare Volumes with original Lithographs, some very rare Exhibition-catalogues, Autobiographies and a collection of wonderful issues of eleven Derriere Le Mirroir, most of them with original Lithographs by Calder, but also the rare, signed Artist Book: “A BESTIARY” – [One of 50 copies on luxurious Rives-mould, signed by Calder and Wilbur]. The collection includes early monographs as well as later catalogues and is a perfect chance to acquire some good understanding of his works in Mobiles, Stabiles, Oil Paintings, Gouches, Toys and other art. See detailed descriptions and images of every single item within this collection listed under “Libraries & Collections” on our website.

Quarto. The collection includes books in different bindings: Original Hardcover with illustrated dustjacket / Original Softcover / Hardcover without dustjacket. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Most books in excellent condition. The price of this collection includes traceable, international UPS Express Saver shipping.

4. Pierre, Frédéric.

Du Coin De L’Oeil La Pleine Lune. [With thirteen (13) stunning, original and signed erotic, colour-engravings]. Gravé et imprimé par Frédéric Pierre à l’atelier de l’été Juin – Septembre 1991. Texte par A. Kallur / C. Aldridge / F. Pierre.

Henley-on-Thames / Stockholm, Published by Artwenty, September 1991. Folio (31.3 cm wide x 41.4 cm high). (3), 27, (1) sheets of finest BFK Rives Velin Paper with deckled edges. Hardcover / Original blue cloth with gilt lettering on spine and ornament on board. Excellent, as new condition. No.10 of only 21 copies, signed by the artist. The entire edition of this artist-book comprised of 28 copies of which 7 copies were numbered in roman numerals from I – VII and accompanied by an original, unique and signed engraving [please enquire for one of the roman numbered editions]. This is one of the 21 copies without the additional engraving. EXTREMELY Rare !!!

5. Reavey, George [First Literary Agent of Samuel Beckett] / Irene Rice Pereira [American abstract [modernist] artist, poet and philosopher].

The Colours Of Memory [Signed Presentation-copy / With signed, original (!) Artwork by Irene Rice Pereira as frontispiece [George Reavey’s wife at the time of publication] / One of the very rare 26 copies only].

First Edition. New York, Grove Press, 1955. Octavo. 60 pages. Original Hardcover with original dustjacket in protective collector’s mylar. Dustjacket stained. Small coffee-stain on pages 5/6. An excellent, extremely rare book, being Letter “Y” of only 26 lettered copies. Very good overall-condition with only minor signs of wear.

6. Gilpin, William. [Castle-Freke Library Bookplates]

Collection of four Volumes (bound in two) by Gilpin – All from the historical library at Castle Freke (Castlefreke, West Cork / Ireland). The Volumes include: I. & II. Observations Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty, Made in the Year 1776, on Several Parts of Great Britain; particularly the High-Lands of Scotland. [Second Edition, with an “Account of the Prints” bound to the rear] / III. Observations on the River Wye and several Parts of South Wales &c. relative chiefly to Picturesque Beauty; Made in the summer of the Year 1770 (Third Edition). / IV. An Essay on Prints – [″The chief intention of the following work was to put the elegant amusement of collecting prints, on a more rational footing; by giving the unexperienced collector a few principles and cautions to assist him”] (Fourth Edition with the printed dedication “To the Honorable Horace Walpole in Deference to his Taste in the Polite Arts; and the Valuable Researches he has made to improve them; the following work is inscribed by his most obedient and very humble servant, William Gilpin”). [Volumes I & II with 40 original illustrations and vintage 18th century maps [correctly 39 illustrations and one table], for example of Loch Lomond and the Firth of Forth/ all illustrations are vintage mezzotint-plates].

Mixed Editions. Four Volumes (bound in two). London, Printed for R. Blamire, Strand, 1792. Octavo. Pagination: Volume I: XI, [1], 221 pages with 24 mezzotints / Volume II: 195, XVI pages with 16 mezzotints and an “Account of the Prints” as well as “Translations of Latin Passages” / [Volume III]: [River Wye]: XVI, 152 pages with 16 (of 17) full – page mezzotints / [Volume IV]: [An Essay on Prints]: XIII, [3], 174 pages plus XI pages Index and 1 page Errata. Hardcover / Early 19th century quarter – morocco with gilt lettering and ornament on spine. Both volumes bound in unison. Very good + condition with only minor signs of external wear. Pages 185 – 191 of Volume I with some stronger browning. Otherwise the interior very clean. All mezzotints in very good or even better condition. This is the original copy from the historical Castle-Freke Library in West Cork (Ireland), with two armorial bookplates to front and rear pastedown with the family’s motto ‘Pro Patria’. With two pages of manuscript annotations by a contemporary hand with a reference between the common name “Tarbet” in Scotland and a place-name in County Kerry in Ireland” (pages 13 of Volume II) / another entry is on page 12 of Volume II regarding the name-sake “Loch-Loung” for a Lake of ships in Scotland and Ireland.

7. [Ravilious, Eric] Shakespeare, William.

“Twelfth Night or, What You Will” by William Shakespeare – With Engravings by Eric Ravilious. With 29 wood-engravings by Eric Ravilious, printed in Grey and Maroon.

No.47 of a limited Edition of 275 copies on Batchelor Paper. Waltham Saint Lawrence, Berkshire, The Golden Cockerel Press, 1932. Folio (24.3 cm wide x 34 cm high). Pagination: Endpaper, (2), 41 leaves, (1), Endpaper. With 29 wood-engravings throughout. Hardcover / Original half-leateher, bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, with their bindery-stamp to pastedown. Binding wonderfully firm and cloth only slightly rubbed, else an excellent copy pf a very scarce book from the beloved Golden Cockerel Press.

8. Dubuffet, Jean.

La botte à nique.

Genève, Albert Skira, 1973. Slim Fpolio Box with Oxtcavo Volume and Slim-Folio Screen-print separate. 112 pages (collation complèt) plus une sérigraphie (Silkscreen: ‘Quatre Figures’) dans une chemise séparée. Original Hardcover in original box with additional folder for the silkscreen. Complete, a fantastic publication ! Some signs of foxing ! Otherwsie in EXCELLENT condition with only minor signs of wear and including the often missing screen-print in the separate chemise. / Edition originale, Exemplaire No.38 des 165 exemplaires numérotés sur vélin d’Arches. Notre exemplaire est bien complet de sa sérigraphie présentée sous une chemise à part.

9. [David Hockney Collection] – Hockney, David.

David Hockney – Collection of rare and important publications as well as an original photograph of Hockney. The collection includes: 1. “Fax Dibujos / Fax Cuadros” / 2. An Original Black-and-White Photograph of David Hockney on archival paper / 3. “The Blue Guitar” – Etchings by David Hockney who was inspired by Wallace Stevens who was inspired by Pablo Picasso – “The Man with the Blue Guitar” – Wallace Stevens / 4. David Hockney – “A Retrospective” / 5. “Billboards” by Sally Henderson & Robert Landau with an Introduction by David Hockney / 6. David Hockney – “Some very new Paintings” / 7. David Hockney prints 1954-1977 / 8. “David Hockney” by David Hockney (with several interesting newspaper-clippings on Hockney loosely inserted).

Mexico, Centro Cultural/Arte Contemporáneo, 1990. Quarto (24.4 cm wide x 28 cm high). 120 pages. Softcover / Original spiral bound. Unusually excellent, FINE condition of Fax Dibujos, with only very minor signs of wear. Extremely rare, especially in this condition / [The Hockney Portrait-Photograph, which comes with the FAX Dibujos-publication, is stamped verso with Copyright by Universal Pictorial Press and Agency Ltd. in London and dated in 1976. – Provenance of the Photo: This photograph comes from the private Press-Photgraphs-Collection of irish photographer John Minihan, accumulated during his early years as photographer on Fleet Street, London] / The other monographs on or by Hockney are all in excellent condition. Find the David Hockney-Collection on our website under “Library & Collection”, where you will see a full list, with all books catalogued and with corresponding images.

10. Romano, Domenico Amici / [Provenance: Library of Sarah Kate Mayne (Dublin)].

Nuova Raccolta Delle Vedute Antiche E Moderne Di Roma E Suoi Contorni [Translates: “New Collection of Ancient and Modern Views of Rome and its Surroundings”] – Disegnate dal vero e Incise in Rame – Da Domenico Amici Romano [Translates: “Drawn from life and engraved in copper – by Domenico Amici Romano”]. / Bound together with another publication, published by Domenico Amici Romano and dedicated to Reverend James Hutchinson: “Raccolta Delle Vedute Dei Contorni Di Roma Disegnate dal vero ed Incise in Rame Da Domenico Amici Romano Anno MDCCCXLVII [1847] – Al Reverendo James Hutchinson A. M. amatore e autore delle arti belle” [Translates: “Collection of Views of the Outskirts of Rome Drawn from Life and Engraved in Copper by Domenico Amici Romano – To the Reverend James Hutchinson A. M. – Lover and Scholar of the Fine Arts”].

Two Volumes in One with 56 Plates (complete). [Roma]. [Giovanni Raffaelli Caleografo Impresse] / In Roma Presso L’Autore, [1835-1837 / and the second Volume published in 1847]. Oblong-Quarto (47 cm wide x 31 cm high). Pagination: Volume I [Translation: “New Collection of Ancient and Modern Views of Rome and its Surroundings”]: 43 Plates / Volume II: [Translation: “Collection of Views of the Outskirts of Rome Drawn from Life and Engraved in Copper by Domenico Amici Romano”] 13 Plates. Original Softcover Wrappers of the early 19th century. Stitched Binding with all pages ultimately now separated and loose. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Provenance: From the library of Dubliner Sarah Kate Mayne, daughter of irish Barrister John Mayne and later wife of Dawson Mayne who became a judge of the Zillah Court. Signed and dated by Sarah Kate Mayne in November 1859.